Stats

Start: Southern Terminus – Mile 0
End: Lake Morena – Mile 20
Elevation Max: 3,509
Elevation Min: 2,293
Elevation Change: 4,207 up & 3,022 down
Average Heart Rate: 122
Walking Time: 6 hrs 10 minutes

The Walk

I rolled over and checked the time. 4:30. My stomach was filled with nervous excitement and I wanted to get moving! I slept better than expected. Maybe the nights on the AZT will pay off.

Pancake breakfast started at 5. But I didn’t hear any other hikers rummaging around. 10 of us camped at CLEEF last night. It had free camping and breakfast, sponsored by the PCT community.

I closed my eyes for another 30 minutes with limited success. At 5 I got up and packed up my gear. It was a .3 mile walk from the camp site to breakfast. I popped on my trusty headlamp and went into the dark.

I saw a headlamp bobbing up and down ahead of me. When I got to the breakfast spot, I was greeted with a hot pancake and a cup of coffee to get the juices flowing. I glanced at trex drawing and had a morning laugh.

At 6 I was antsy. I enjoyed the morning chat, but wanted to get on trail. At 6:15 I saw an out and started my mile walk to the trailhead. I reflected on the conversation with Legend, the caretaker of the hostel. He’s a mainstay in the hiker community and has quite a few stories.

Vibes were high. Electric and excited. My pack felt light. I hiked with two others to the terminus to get out obligatory pics and pct badge!

I was ready. The other two hikers were planning a short day, so they stayed at the terminus to soak it in. But one of the volunteers said there were burgers in 20 miles. Even though nobody else at CLEEF planned to go the 20 miles to Lake Morena, I wanted to give it a shot. I had been doing 25-30 in Arizona. It seemed reasonable.

I headed out with fresh legs and a smile. The first thing I noticed was the trail is super well maintained. Not rocky at all. It was a welcome change compared to the AZT. The morning was overcast and cool, so the miles flew by. I had 10 miles done by 10 am. I was cruising and snacking on bars for fuel.

As the day went on the mist creeped upward to the mountain tops but never fully left. I was curious to see the views, but enjoyed the cool, crisp desert air. I didn’t love the intermittent sprinkling.

The sprinkling didn’t help dry my tent, which was wet with condensation from the night before. I was bummed I couldn’t find a sunny spot to dry it out.

At 13 miles I was tired. My initial excitement was wearing off. And I needed to eat lunch. I decided to wait until Hauser creek at mile 15. At noon I made it and joined two German girls for lunch by the dry creek.

I ate a tuna packet and almond butter, changed socks, and headed back on trail. With less than 5 miles to camp I was excited to keep going. Plus the last miles were mostly uphill. I loved the AZT uphill sections and was excited to see how my legs would hold up.

Oddly enough, the uphill gave me more energy (or maybe it was the tuna). Similar to the AZT I enjoyed the climb. It was a mildly sloped climb. 1.1k feet over three miles. But I was moving at normal speed. I must have walked by 15 hikers on the way and 40 total on the day. Most people use the first week of hiking as training.

The lake came into view and I was feeling great. No weird pains. I finished the last mile, chatted with a few hikers at the PCT camping area and set up my tent. After I finished settling up my tent, I noticed a next of fire ants a foot away from me. They didn’t seem to be bothered by my tent. But I have to remember not to use that door! I need to pay more attention next time.

Then I grabbed a burger and ice cream from the malt shop. I chatted with my German friends and malt man and pizza girl. I was bummed I was going farther than them. But at this point felt like putting in the miles to see how my body responds. I planned another 20 mile day tomorrow to the next town.

I headed back to the PCT site and at least 20 tents were set up. A fire was going and people were mingling. I chatted with some old friends and new friends. Then headed to bed.

It’s another misty night but not too cold. I’m tired from the day and hope to be asleep by 8! I snagged an apple and avocado from the malt shop and am excited to eat them in the morning. Maybe I’ll save the avocado for lunch.